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SYNOPSIS: This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the US Army DEVCOM Soldier Center to identify potential sources to provide a Laboratory Scale Twin Screw Extruder The Government requests that r... SYNOPSIS: This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the US Army DEVCOM Soldier Center to identify potential sources to provide a Laboratory Scale Twin Screw Extruder The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to mary.k.prebensen.civ@army.mil and michael.w.mcpartlin.civ@army.mil by 15 March 2022 by 5pm EST. Background: The Government (DEVCOM Soldier Center) is in the need of a Laboratory Scale Twin Screw Extruder. This equipment will allow compounding and mixing of all types of polymers and additives for DEVCOM SC research projects. This will allow for the development of formulations to improve desired performance properties (ie. Mechanical properties: tensile strength, elongation) while adding the benefit of other properties that are of the Army’s interest (signature management, vector protection, ballistic protection, high barrier, conductivity, food packaging). Description: Twin-screw extrusion is the standard for mixing and compounding in polymer processing and has expanded into other applications for new material development. The extruder offers a high level of process flexibility, more control of process parameters, and can produce a wider range of products. Being a continuous mixing process where a base matrix and multiple additives are transformed into a new compound, extrusion has benefits for multiple products beyond traditional polymer processing. Specific Specifications: Minimum Barrel diameter of 16 mm Minimum Barrel length 40 L/D Screw speed range of 10 – 1000 rpm Segmented screw configuration Torque max. 36 Nm Pressure max. 100 bar Must have a Maximum Temperature 350°C and Temperature Accuracy ±1°C Must have multiple barrel zones (Minimum of 4) Must include data log software that is compatible with Windows 10 Must include chiller to cool barrel Installation of equipment Training on how to operate equipment and software Horizontal split barrel Fully segmented screw design Side feeding Identical design with other/older extrusion systems at DEVCOM SC (free volume, Di/Do ratio, etc.) Small foot print Applicability & interchangeability of pre-existing feeders and post-extrusion equipment at DEVCOM SC Deliverables: Capability Statements, including attachments, are limited to ten (10) pages. Responses should be submitted in MS WORD and/or MS Excel or PDF, including attachments. Information should include technical information (i.e., technical literature, system specifications, data and illustrations, photographs, patents), relevant company background/experience, and an estimated price for the hardware and technical support. Firms responding shall indicate whether or not they are a small business. Any information submitted will not be returned. Interested parties shall also supply the following information: name of company and point of contact, telephone number, address and email of POC, business size (i.e. large business, small business, SBA certified HUBZone Business, Economically Disadvantaged Small Business, Woman-Owned Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business), proposed NAICS code, a brief description of the system and GSA catalog number ( if the system is listed in the GSA catalog). Note if training and installation of equipment comes with purchase. Delivery Date: The Government anticipates 14 weeks lead time for this item. Please identify timeframe required for delivery. Government Furnished Property (Equipment/Materials/Information/Computer Utilization): n/a Interested parties are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Announcement. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY This Sources Sought Announcement is issued solely for information and planning purposes and to identify interested sources. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. This Sources Sought does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. It is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. Further, unsolicited proposals will not be accepted. Funding is not available at this time. The United States Army has not made a commitment to procure any of the items/services discussed, and release of this Sources Sought Announcement should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. Response to this Sources Sought Announcement is voluntary and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this and any follow-on information requests. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. Not responding to this Sources Sought Announcement does not preclude participation in any future RFP if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in the SAM.gov website. It is the responsibility of the potential responders to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this subject. RESPONSES: Interested parties may identify their interest and capability by sending responses regarding this requirement to DEVCOM Soldier Center via e-mail ONLY to mary.k.prebensen.civ@army.mil and michael.w.mcpartlin.civ@army.mil no later than 15 March 2022 by 5:00 p.m. EST. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this Notice. All costs associated with responding to this Notice will be solely at the expense of the interested party. Please provide business size (indicate your socioeconomic status), applicable NAICS code, and CAGE code. If you hold a GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract, please identify your contract number. QUESTIONS: Any questions for clarification may be emailed to mary.k.prebensen.civ@army.mil and michael.w.mcpartlin.civ@army.mil no later than 13 March 2022 by 5:00 p.m. EST. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. An unattributed list of questions and answers will be published at the same web location of this Sources Sought Announcement. Amendment 0001: Question 1: What is the screw diameter? Answer 1: Current screw diameter is 3/4" Question 2: What machine is DEVCOM Soldier Center is currently using? To include: manufacturer and size of these machines (screw diameter/ barrel length) Answer 2: DEVCOM Soldier Center is currently using a Thermo Haake PolyLab System attached to Haake Rheomex. Manufacturer: Thermo Fisher Scientific Size: length = 43 inch, width = 19.1 inch, height = 50 inch Screw diameter/ Barrel length (L/D) = 24:1 ratio Heat Zones = 3 heating zones Attachments : Strand Die and Blown Film Die